We learn about a new program that provides legal aid at local libraries. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen chats with Roya Samarghandi, chief advocacy and innovation officer at The Chicago Bar Foundation, about a new program that allows residents to get legal aid at their local library, explores the ongoing debate around public money for private schools with Chalkbeat Chicago’s Reema Amin, and gets the lowdown on a local organization that helps youth enter the workforce called Leaders in Transformational Education from CEO Candace Thier. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Mike Stephen learns about inspiring the next generation of civil engineers from Pinpoint Scholars Foundation founder & president Michael Bempah, replays his visit to The Levee bar in the Hermosa neighborhood, and discovers the Secret History of local saxman Ed Wilkerson Jr. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses the importance of a healthy local nonprofit arts community with Vickie Lakes-Battle of IFF and Vanessa Sanchez of Villapalooza and then chats with Danita Patterson, founder of Destiny Outreach, about a new program aimed at guiding Chicago’s youth towards careers in the entertainment industry. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

What are the potential impacts of cutting the funding for Illinois Humanities? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen?WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the potential impact of federal funding cuts for Illinois Humanities with executive director Gabrielle Lyon and Macomb-based singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo and then chats about the future of journalism with Prospect High School multimedia teacher Jason Block and seniors Claire Wynkoop and Kenny Munao while attending this year’s Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association conference. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.